Write a 1,200–1,500-word proposal essay using the Toulmin Model of argument in which you address the question in the prompt.
What is the impact of Covid-19 on the American economy?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Proposal Essay: The Impact of Covid-19 on the American Economy
Introduction
The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on societies worldwide, including the American economy. This proposal essay aims to examine the various ways in which Covid-19 has affected the American economy, using the Toulmin Model of argument to present a persuasive case. By analyzing the evidence, warrant, and backing for each claim, we will provide a comprehensive understanding of the economic consequences of this global health crisis.
Claim 1: Covid-19 has led to a significant decline in economic activity.
Evidence:
The closure of businesses and widespread lockdown measures resulted in a decrease in consumer spending and disrupted supply chains.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US GDP experienced a contraction of 31.4% in the second quarter of 2020, indicating a severe economic downturn.
Unemployment rates skyrocketed as many businesses were forced to lay off employees or shut down completely.
Warrant:
The evidence suggests that the economic impact of Covid-19 has been substantial, leading to a decline in economic activity across various sectors.
Backing:
Numerous economists and financial experts have documented the negative effects of Covid-19 on the American economy. For example, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reported that the pandemic-induced recession was unprecedented in its speed and severity.
Claim 2: Small businesses have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
Evidence:
Small businesses, which account for a significant portion of employment in the US, faced immense challenges during the pandemic.
Many small businesses lacked the financial resources to sustain prolonged closures or adapt to new safety measures.
According to a report by Yelp, as of August 2020, approximately 60% of business closures due to Covid-19 were permanent.
Warrant:
The evidence suggests that small businesses have borne the brunt of the economic fallout from Covid-19 due to their limited resources and vulnerability.
Backing:
Various studies and surveys conducted by organizations such as the National Bureau of Economic Research and the US Chamber of Commerce have highlighted the disproportionate impact on small businesses during the pandemic.
Claim 3: The government’s fiscal stimulus packages have played a crucial role in mitigating the economic impact of Covid-19.
Evidence:
The CARES Act, passed by Congress in March 2020, provided financial aid to individuals, expanded unemployment benefits, and offered support to businesses.
Additional stimulus packages, such as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act, aimed to inject funds into the economy and support struggling industries.
Warrant:
The evidence suggests that government intervention through fiscal stimulus measures has helped alleviate some of the economic hardships caused by Covid-19.
Backing:
Economists and experts from institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the Congressional Budget Office have acknowledged the positive impact of government stimulus packages on economic recovery during the pandemic.
Claim 4: Certain sectors of the economy have experienced growth or adaptation in response to Covid-19.
Evidence:
E-commerce and online retail experienced significant growth as consumers shifted towards online shopping during lockdowns.
Remote work and telecommunication technologies saw increased adoption as companies implemented work-from-home policies.
Healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors witnessed increased demand for medical supplies, testing kits, and vaccines.
Warrant:
The evidence suggests that while many sectors suffered, certain industries adapted or even thrived amidst the challenges posed by Covid-19.
Backing:
Multiple reports and studies conducted by organizations such as McKinsey & Company and Forbes have highlighted the growth and adaptation within specific sectors during the pandemic.
Conclusion
Covid-19 has had a profound impact on the American economy, leading to a decline in economic activity, disproportionate effects on small businesses, government intervention through fiscal stimulus packages, and varying outcomes within different sectors. The evidence presented supports these claims, highlighting the extent of the economic consequences caused by this global health crisis. By acknowledging these impacts, policymakers can make informed decisions to address the challenges faced by individuals, businesses, and industries, thus fostering economic recovery in a post-pandemic world.
